Israel halted its plan to distribute surplus coronavirus vaccine doses to other countries as authorities examine whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had the authority to order the move.
Mr Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel would send a "limited quantity" of doses to the Palestinians and several allies, including two that announced plans to boost their diplomatic presence in Israel.
But on Thursday, the Justice Ministry said the attorney general was examining, after requests from the public, whether doses were "transferred to foreign countries without authority".
The ministry said that National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat asked for the attorney general's legal opinion on the decision to send doses abroad.
Mr Ben-Shabbat informed the attorney general that "an order has already been issued to freeze any activity on the topic", the ministry said.
An official in Mr Netanyahu's office said that Mr Ben-Shabbat "sought a legal opinion from the attorney general on the matter" after being approached by the ministry, implying that the process had been frozen.
This was "despite Israeli citizens not losing a single vaccine", the official said.
"The amount set to be given to the foreign states was symbolic and creates a good image for Israel in the world."
Israel sent several thousand doses to the occupied West Bank to inoculate Palestinian Authority medical workers, a move approved by the Security Cabinet and overseen by the attorney general.
Earlier on Thursday, Defence Minister Benny Gantz said that while the decision to give doses to the Palestinian Authority followed "due process" and was in Israel's interests, "supplying vaccines to other countries was never broached in relevant forums".
He said the policy was pushed through without the required consultation and was therefore "against the law".
The issue must first be discussed by the Security Cabinet, he said.
Mr Gantz and Mr Netanyahu are bitter rivals who entered an uneasy coalition after elections last year. Their arrangement quickly fell apart and in March the country will hold its fourth national election in two years.
Honduras, which said last year that it would move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, was on the list of recipients, sources told Agence France-Presse.
The Czech Republic, which plans to open a diplomatic office in Jerusalem next month, said on Tuesday that it received 5,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine from Israel.
Hungary and Guatemala are also reportedly expected to receive doses.
Israel has administered two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech shot to more than 3.2 million people, more than a third of its population.
While many countries are struggling to obtain doses of Covid-19 vaccines, Israel has avoided shortages since beginning its inoculation programme in December.
On Wednesday, Mr Netanyahu said the doses to be sent abroad "wouldn't come at the expense of even one vaccine of an Israeli citizen" and bore diplomatic weight.
Most countries have embassies in Tel Aviv, pending a resolution of the conflict with the Palestinians, who claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.
Israel claims Jerusalem as its "undivided capital".
World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday, February 8 v Kenya; Friday, February 9 v Canada; Sunday, February 11 v Nepal; Monday, February 12 v Oman; Wednesday, February 14 v Namibia; Thursday, February 15 final
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
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UAE Premiership
Results
Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes
Fixture
Friday, March 29, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, The Sevens, Dubai
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Read more about the coronavirus
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
